Hypermarcas believes merging with Aché could make sense

The President of the manufacturer of medicines and consumables Hypermarcas, Claudio Bergamo, denied yesterday that the company is participating in the sale process of the Aché laboratory. However, the Executive said that a possible merger between the companies might make sense, given the complementarity of the product line, but would need to be examined in detail to ensure benefits to shareholders.
In a conference call with shareholders yesterday, Bergamo also commented that the year of 2013 started "warm" to the company, with sales below expectations. The reason it would be cyclical, due to Carnival early and the change in the tax laws for interstate products with imported components, the Equalization of tax on Circulation of goods and services (ICMS) in 4%, that would be causing "uncertainties" in the market.
"This should be corrected throughout the year. Even with the growth in the first quarter below expectations, we reaffirm our guidance of Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) adjusted of $ 950 million, "he said. The target would represent approximately 10% advance over the outcome of 2012.
Hypermarcas had net income of r $ 124,7 million in the last quarter of 2012, against r $ 49,6 million in the same period in 2011. In the year 2012, the net income was r $ 204 million against a loss of r $ 55 million in the previous year. In the year, Ebitda totaled r $ 865,2 million, 24.5% on 2011.
The company recorded net revenue of r $ 3.8 billion in the year, with organic growth of 16.5% compared with 2011. The performance reflected increases in net revenues of 26.6% in Division farma and 6.7% in the consumer division. In the fourth quarter of the year, these two divisions recorded 31.1% expansions and 14.5%, respectively, as compared to the same period in 2011.
Aché pharmaceutical sector, global Companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer and Abbott Laboratories, are among those interested in Brazilian Aché, that can be sold for $ 3 billion or more, according to Reuters. Aché 's revenue in the 12 months to September 30, 2012 amounted to r $ 1.5 billion and Ebitda of r $ 540 million, according to the Fitch Agency.